1936-40  Clear Acrylic Gibson L-5

A pre-war prototype of an alternate future.

A most unusual and unique piece, this Gibson L-5, which dates from around 1936-40, has its body made entirely of a clear synthetic material, probably Lucite, the brand name of a polyacrylic discovered by Dupont in 1931. The bindings are of celluloid, the usual material used in that period.

The reasons for its existence are unknown; it may have been as a demonstration piece for Gibson’s then-new and revolutionary introduction of a high quality electric guitar to the marketplace, and to show off the high quality of construction of their guitars in general.

The top, back, and sides have a light translucent sunburst finish overall, giving complete internal visibility of the braces, kerfed linings, and neck- and tail-blocks, which are also of clear acrylic; the fingerboard end-support block appears to be of clear red acrylic. Also visible through the body are all the electronics, including original wiring, potentiometers, and capacitor. The brown Bakelite control knobs are original. Perhaps most interesting is the pickup, which is of the early Gibson mid-1930’s type, with a clear acrylic cover on it, showing the coil windings.

Additionally, there is visible a most unusual reinforcement rod of the same dimensions and material as a standard Gibson neck truss rod, running through the body from the upper portion of the tail block, through the neck block and out the lower heel of the neck, with a recessed 5/16” x 10-32 standard brass truss rod nut showing on the outside at the base of the heel.

The neck appears to be of standard period construction: maple, with ebony fingerboard and mother-of-pearl block inlays, multiple-bound fingerboard and peghead, with “flowerpot” and script “Gibson” mother-of-pearl inlay. The tailpiece has its center section silver plated, a rare variation; the tuning machines appear to be later Gibson replacements, perhaps from the 1950’s.

Certainly, this is a one-of-a kind guitar, showing Gibson’s commitment to a new style of music. No other Gibson even remotely similar is known to exist.